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Brand Names: Cardene, Cardene SR

Generic Name: nicardipine (Pronunciation: nye KAR di peen)

What is nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR)?

Nicardipine is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Nicardipine relaxes (widens) your blood vessels, which makes it easier for the heart to pump and reduces its workload.

Nicardipine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina (chest pain).

Nicardipine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Cardene 20 mg

blue/white, imprinted with CARDENE 20 mg, ROCHE

Cardene 30 mg

blue, imprinted with CARDENE 30MG, ROCHE

Cardene SR 30 mg

pink, imprinted with CARDENESR 30MG, ROCHE

Cardene SR 45 mg

blue, imprinted with CARDENESR 45MG, ROCHE

Cardene SR 60 mg

blue/white, imprinted with CARDENESR 60MG, ROCHE

Nicardipine 20 mg-MYL

turquoise/white, imprinted with MYLAN 1020

Nicardipine 20 mg-TEV

turquoise/white, imprinted with 93 793

Nicardipine 30 mg-TEV

blue/white, imprinted with 93 794

What are the possible side effects of nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR)?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking nicardipine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
  • unusually fast or slow heartbeats;
  • fainting or severe dizziness;
  • abnormal behavior or psychosis;
  • chest pain or worsening angina;
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
  • swelling of the legs or ankles.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take nicardipine and talk to your doctor if you experience

  • unusual headache, fatigue, or tiredness;
  • dizziness;
  • flushing;
  • rash;
  • insomnia;
  • vivid or abnormal dreams;
  • increased urination;
  • dry mouth;
  • nausea or constipation; or
  • nervousness or tremor.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR)?

Do not stop taking nicardipine without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse.

Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release (SR) capsules. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the body.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR)?

Before taking nicardipine, tell your doctor if you have

  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease; or
  • another disease of the heart or blood vessels such as sick sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure, low blood pressure, or coronary artery disease.

You may not be able to take nicardipine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Nicardipine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether nicardipine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Nicardipine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take nicardipine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from nicardipine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

How should I take nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR)?

Take nicardipine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Do not crush, break, or chew the extended-release (SR) capsules. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the body.

Do not stop taking nicardipine without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with nicardipine. The interaction could have potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Store nicardipine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose (Cardene, Cardene SR)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose (Cardene, Cardene SR)?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a nicardipine overdose include dizziness, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, an unusually fast or slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion.

What should I avoid while taking nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR)?

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with nicardipine. The interaction could have potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Follow any recommendations your doctor makes about diet or exercise.

Use caution when you stand or sit up from a lying position, especially if you wake up during the night. You may become dizzy when changing positions.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness or dizziness while taking nicardipine.

What other drugs will affect nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR)?

Before taking nicardipine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

  • another heart medication to treat the same or another condition;
  • cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); or
  • cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral).

You may not be able to take nicardipine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with nicardipine or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about nicardipine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the condition prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.01. Revision date: 04/02/2009.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read,understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement,which can be accessed by clicking on this link.

Healthwise

Last Updated: April 2, 2009


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